Brake mechanism for a boom supported occupant bucket

Abstract

A vehicle mounted lift apparatus includes a boom having an L-shaped support arm pivotally suspended from the outer end thereof. An occupant supporting bucket is pivotally mounted on the L-shaped arm for rotation about a vertical axis. A brake mechanism is mounted on the L-shaped arm and occupant supporting bucket below the bottom wall of the bucket for locking the bucket against rotation. A brake actuating mechanism is provided for releasing the brake from a normally locked position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle mounted lift apparatus including a base, an elongate boom having one end thereof connected to said base, power means for pivotally swinging said boom between lowered and elevated positions, a support arm pivotally connected to the other end of said boom for pivoting movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis,   an occupant support bucket for supporting an occupant therein, said bucket having upstanding vertical walls and a bottom wall,   means rotatably mounting the bucket on the support arm to permit rotation of the bucket about a vertical axis,   a brake mechanism positioned below the general plane of the bottom wall of said bucket including a disk secured to the bucket for rotation therewith, disk engaging means mounted on said support arm and being shiftable between a disk clamping and release positions, said disk engaging means clamping said disk and bucket against rotational movement when in the clamping position, and disengaging said disk when in the release position to permit rotation of the bucket,   an actuating mechanism for shifting said disk clamping means between release and clamping positions including a shiftable cam element engaging said disk engaging means, and yieldable means for normally urging said cam element to the clamping position.   
     
     
       2. A lift apparatus mounted on a vehicle and including a angular adjustable base revolvable about a vertical axis, an elongate boom having one end thereof connected to said base, power means for pivotally swinging said boom between lowered and elevated positions, an L-shaped support arm pivotally connected to the other end of said boom for pivoting movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis, and including a vertical arm position and a horizontal arm position,   an occupant support bucket for supporting an occupant therein, said bucket having upstanding vertical walls and a bottom wall,   means rotatably mounting the bucket on the horizontal arm position of the support arm to permit rotation of the bucket about a vertical axis,   a brake mechanism positioned below the general plane of the bottom wall said bucket including a disk secured to the bucket for rotation therewith, disk engaging means mounted on said support arm and being shiftable between a disk clamping and release positions, said disk engaging means clamping said disk and bucket against rotational movement when in the clamping position, and disengaging said disk when in the release position to permit rotation of the bucket,   an actuating mechanism for shifting said disk clamping means between release and clamping positions including a shiftable cam element engaging said disk engaging means, and yieldable means for normally urging said cam element to the clamping position.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said disk engaging means comprises a pair of brake pads engaging and clamping opposite surfaces of said disk when in the clamping position. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said actuating mechanism includes an elongate cable connected to said cam element. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as defined in clam 4 wherein said yieldable means comprises a helical spring positioned around said cable. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 and resilient means engaging said brake to urge the brake pads out of engaging relation when said actuating mechanism shifts said brake mechanism to the release position.